Free weight simulating, weightlifting system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a free weight simulating, weightlifting system configured to allow the user to lift weights in a full range of motion while reducing shoulder joint pressure and having additional support safety. The system has a support base, sides that define the exercise area and guide rails that pivotally attach to the support base and barbell.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to weightlifting machines. More specifically, embodiments of the invention are directed to a free weight simulating weightlifting system that allows the user to lift weights in a full range of motion with additional safety support while reducing shoulder joint pressure.

The population has become more aware of the health benefits of exercise and personal fitness. People make going to the gym, fitness club or having a home gym an element of their physical fitness and supplement this physical fitness with lifting weights. A concern regarding the practice of weight lifting has been having a spotter present during the lifting. A user could potentially injury themselves by lifting too much weight or accidentally dropping weight on a body part. The spotter's purpose is to help the user finish lifting or remove the weight should the user not complete the exercise. Many people, however, do not always have spotters available.

To address this issue, Smith machines have been introduced as a way for a user, without a spotter, to lift weights with the added safety of being able to rack the weights at any time during the exercise and not have to worry about balancing a free weight barbell. The typical Smith machine has a frame with a pair of stationary guide rails. A barbell is attached to these guide rails so that a user can lift the barbell in a vertical up and down motion. Exercises that can be performed on these Smith machines include chest press, shoulder press, leg squats, cleans, bicep curls and tricep extensions.

A major restriction of the Smith machine is lifting the barbell in the limiting vertical up and down motion. This inhibits the user from lifting the barbell in a full range of motion that is included with being able to move the barbell in a horizontal position allowing for a more natural lifting motion. This limitation can also result on excessive shoulder joint strain during exercise. As such, there is a need for a weightlifting system that provides the user the ability to lift weights in a full range of motion with the incorporation of safety of guide rails and ability to rack the weights.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a free weight simulating, weightlifting system configured to allow the user to lift weights in a full range of motion while reducing shoulder joint pressure and having additional support safety. The system has a support base with a first side and a second side that define the exercise area. The system also has a first guide rail and a second guide rail that pivotally attaches to the support base and are configured to have a barbell that slides up and down the guide rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the invention omitting item 30 bench for illustrative purposes and to demonstrated one embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, in a locked configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a section detail view of one embodiment of the present invention along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, certain embodiments of the present system comprise a support base 10. The support base is configured to define the exercise area. In some embodiments, the support base comprises metal. In alternative embodiments, the support base comprises steel.

In certain embodiments, the support base comprises a barbell 12. In some embodiments, the barbell comprises a varying size. In alternative embodiments, the barbell comprises an Olympic size barbell. In some embodiments, the barbell comprises a weight range of 25 pounds to 50 pounds. In alternative embodiments, the barbell comprises a weight of 45 pounds. In some embodiments, the barbell comprises metal. In alternative embodiments the barbell comprises steel. In some embodiments and referring to FIGS. 1-3, the barbell comprises hand grips 14. In alternative embodiments, the hand grips are configured to slidably move along the barbell. In some embodiments, the hand grips comprise a slidable range of 1 inch to 10 inches. In alternative embodiments, the hand grips are configured to slide 8 inches along the barbell. In some embodiments, the hand grips comprise a plurality of ball bearings positioned between an inner wall of the hand grips and an outer wall of the barbell. In alternative embodiments, the hand grips comprise metal. In some embodiments, the hand grips comprise steel. In alternative embodiments the hand grips comprise aluminum. In some embodiments, the hand grips comprise rubber grips.

In certain embodiments and referring to FIGS. 1-4, the barbell is configured to vertically slide along a first guide rail and a second guide rail herein referred to as guide rails 16. In some embodiments, the guide rails are configured to pivotally attach to the support base. In alternative embodiments, the guide rails are configured to pivotally attach to the support base at pivot points 32. In some embodiments, pivot points comprise a bolt movably affixing the guide rails to the support base. In alternative embodiments, the guide rails comprise metal. In some embodiments, the guide rails comprise steel. In alternative embodiments the guide rails comprise aluminum.

In certain embodiments and referring to FIGS. 1-5, the barbell comprises horizontal barbell assembly 18. In some embodiments, the horizontal barbell assembly is configured to movably attach the barbell to the guide rails. In some embodiments and referring to FIG. 4, the horizontal barbell assembly comprises a bar hook 22. In alternative embodiments, the bar hook is configured to engage a plurality of apertures of the support base defining support base notches 20. In alternative embodiments, the bar hook comprises metal. In some embodiments, the bar hook comprises steel. In alternative embodiments, the bar hook comprises aluminum. In some embodiments, a plurality of protrusions are configured to extend from the support base and rack the barbell. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of protrusions comprises metal. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions comprises steel. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of protrusions comprises aluminum.

In some embodiments and referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the horizontal barbell assembly comprises a plurality of wheels 24. In alternative embodiments the plurality wheels are configured to engage the guide rails. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels are configured to be attached to a wheel housing unit. In alternative embodiments, the wheel housing unit is configured so that the plurality of wheels are removable. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels comprise rubber wheels. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of wheels comprise polyurethane wheels.

In certain embodiments and referring to FIGS. 1-3, the support base comprises bumpers 28. In some embodiments, the bumpers are configured to catch the barbell and horizontal barbell assembly at bottom end of the guide rails. In alternative embodiments, the bumpers are configured to be attached to the base of the support base. In some embodiments, the bumpers comprise metal springs. In alternative embodiments, the bumpers comprise rubber.

In certain embodiments, the support base comprises guide rail stops. In some embodiments, the guide rail stops are configured to be attached to the support base at a top end of the support base. In alternative embodiments, the guide rail stops are configured to engage the guide rails. In some embodiments, the guide rail stops are configured to engage the guide rails at range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees from the top end of the support base. In alternative embodiments, the guide rail stops are configured to engage the guide rails at 90 degrees from the top end of the support base. In some embodiments, the guide rail stops comprise metal. In alternative embodiments, the guide rail stops comprise steel. In some embodiments, the guide rail stops comprise aluminum.

In certain embodiments and referring to FIG. 1, the weight lifting system comprises a bench 30. In some embodiments, the bench comprises a flat bench. In alternative embodiments, the bench comprises an incline bench. In some embodiments, the bench comprises a decline bench. In alternative embodiments, the bench comprises a 90 degree bench. In some embodiments, the bench comprises an adjustable bench.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A free weight simulating, weightlifting system configured to allow the user to lift weights in a full range of motion while reducing shoulder joint pressure and having additional support safety, the system comprising: a support base, the support base comprising a first side and a second side wherein the first side and second side defining an exercise area; and a first guide rail and a second guide rail wherein the first guide rail and second guide rail pivotally attach to the support base and the first guide rail and second guide rail are configured to have a barbell that slides up and down the first guide rail and second guide rail.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of hand grips wherein the pair of hand grips movably attach to the barbell.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a horizontal barbell assembly comprising a first rail bracket and a second rail bracket movably affixed to the first guide and rail second guide rail.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first rail bracket and the second rail bracket are attached to the barbell.
 5. The system of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of wheels wherein the plurality of wheels rotatably affix to the first rail bracket and the second rail bracket and engage the first guide rail and second guide rail.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first guide rail stop and a second guide rail stop wherein the first guide rail stop and the second guide rail stop are affixed to the support base.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first bumper and a second bumper wherein the first bumper and the second bumper affix to a bottom end of the first guide rail and the second guide rail.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprises a plurality of bar hooks wherein the bar hooks are attached to the barbell
 9. The system of claim 8, further comprises a plurality of support base notches wherein the plurality of bar hooks engage the support base notches. 